The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1887-10-12
AN EXPLANATION FROM UNDER
TAKER STOCKTON,

Two cnlldren-am0unt, SlU--WaS reLuTn-
ed to Council by the committee to whom
it was referred at previous meeting, not
approved, as a copy of receipt was pro-
duced showing that the family bad paid
the amount agreed upon by Mr.. Stockton
for performing the work.
Tho above, from tho published pro-
ceedings Of the Common Council, does
me great injustice, as it is calculated to
mislead the public and give the impress
sion that have made an attempt to get
! pay twice over for my services. The
truth of the affair is this: On August 30th
| was called upon to bury twin child of
Mr.. Richard O'Dapiel. l was informed
by Mr.. O'Daniel that he was not able to
bear the funeral expenses. l told him il
that was the case, be must go and see tho
0Verseer of the Poor, which be did. Mr..
Joseph Mathews, tho Overseer of the
Poor, said that be would see the Poor
Committee, which he did, and in the af-
ternoon of the same day he called at my
place of business and informed me that
everything was all right; to go ahead and
bury the child at the expense of tine city.
The same day, after this agreement had
been made, the other twin child died
The mother of the children, Mrs. o.
Daniel, asked me If could make coffin
to put both of the bodies in, and | told
her | could; but that l could not do it
and make a very good job for what the
city allowed $50, and she asked nue. how
mach | would do it for in addition to
what the city allowed. / told her that
would bury them nicely il she would raise
me $40 10 addition TO what the city paid,
and she said all right, she would pay it.
| went ahead with my work, gave them
suitable coffin, put handles and plate on
tho same, and procured flowers, took the
bodies in my best hearse, and did all that
| would have done had the parents of the
children been millionaires. After the
burial Of the children, l received from
Mr.. and Mrs. 0'Daniel So in cash and
ohild's carriage (for which $5 was allow
edl, and gave them receipt for the $40
which they agreed to pay me.
On the 30th of August was called up.
on to bury a pauper child, the expenses
of which we're to be paid by the city, my
authority for doing the work coming
from the Overseer of the Poor.
AT meeting of the Common Council
held in September presented bill for
burying two children calling the twins
one child), amounting to $50 in all. The
bill was referred to the Poor Committee.
AT the Council meeting in this month
(october) the bill was returned to the
Council by the Committee, without their
approval, as above stated. Mr.. Frank
Larson is Chairman of the Poor Commit
tee, and he alone is responsible for the
action taken by the Council. | am salts
fled that the members of Common Coun-
Gil are willing to pay the bill, but they
have been misinformed in regard to the
matter. In the case of the twins, | have
not received more than one. half of what
is justly due me, and in tho case of the
other child buried by me l have not re-
ceiyed anything in payment. Why
should be treated in this manner by tho
Chairman of the Poor Committee, and ro-
ported to the public in such manner as
to leave the impression that seek to be
paid second time for my services, is
moro than | can explain. II the Chair
man of the Poor Committee has person
al matter to settle with me, why don't he
come and see me and have the matter set
tied in gentlemanly way, and not take
advantage of me for services have hon
estly performed, and for work on which
| have not realized profit of single
dollar? While l am willing to do my
share-and do more than the public is
perhaps aware of-in helping the poor in
cases of death, do not think should be
called upon to bury the poor of the city
without receiving at least what it actually
costs me to perform the work.
make this statement solely for the
purpose Of setting me right before the
public, who have always given me largo
share of their patronage and who speak
in words Of praise of my services. With
my 30 years experience in this city, as an
undertaken, can say that have never
had any trouble with my bills in tho Com
mon Council until Mr.. Frank LARSON
was made Chairman of the Poor Com
mittce. Even If am kept from receiving
what is lawfully due me, shall continue
to perform my duty as in the past, having
the satisfaction, at least, Of knowing that
have treated the parties interested as |
would have them treat me.
The statement made in regard to the
buryiDg of the twins was acknowledged
to be true by the parents of the children
last Saturday, Oct. 9Th, in the presence of
witnesses. SAMUEL STOCKTON,
Undertaken.
LAMDERTvrLLE, Oct. 10, 1887.
List of letters remaining unclaimed
in the Post Office at Lambertville, Hun
terdon county, N. j., for thirty days,
Oct. s, 1887 :
Frank Leonard.
John Nice.
Samiel Cramer.
Mrs. Maggie Angel.
N. j. Anderson.
Susie Michigan.
JOHN FoRAN, P. NJ.
Oct. 12, 1887.
LAMBERTvILLE, N. j., Oct. IL.
EDITOR OF THE REcoRD:-
Sir Would you let me know through
your valuable paper what the First Ward
did with my vote?